safely, and remained there all winter and sold his wares; and he and his wife were held in esteem by the most considerable people in Norway. Now in the following spring he fitted out his ship for Iceland; and when he was quite ready, and his ship lay outside the pier waiting a wind, there came to him a South-country man from Bremen in Saxonland, who would deal with him for his house-besom.* "I will not sell it," said he. "I will give thee a half mark of gold for it," said the South-country man. Karlsefne thought it was a good offer, and sold it accordingly. The South-country man went away with the house-broom, and Karlsefne did not know what the wood was. It was mosur-wood from Vinland. Now Karlsefne put to sea, and his ship came to land north at Skagafiord, and there he put up his vessel for the winter. In spring he purchased Glaumbajarland, where he took up his abode, and dwelt there as long as he lived, and was a man of great consideration; and many men are descended from him and his wife Gudrid, and it was a good family. When Karlsefne died Gudrid took the management of his estate, and Snorre her son, who was born in Vinland. And when Snorre was married Gudrid went out of the country, and went to the south and came back again to Snorre's estate, and he had built a church at Glamba. Afterwards Gudrid became a nun, and lived a hermit-life, and did so as long as she lived. Snorre had a son called Thorgeir, who was father to Bishop Brand's mother Yngvild. The daughter of Snorre Karlsefneson was called Halfrid. She was mother of Runolf, the father of Bishop Thorlak. Karlsefne and Gudrid had a son also called Biorn. He was father of Thorun, the mother of Bishop Biorn. Many people are descended from Karlsefne, and his kin have been lucky; and Karlsefne has given the most particular accounts of all these travels of which here something is related. * Husasnotra is translated house-besom, the exact meaning of the word not being known. A besom shaft would be too small, however rare the wood, to be made into anything. The bar for securing the housedoor was as common and necessary in every house, and is probably meant. Fin Magnusen translates it with broom.-L. VII. SAGA OF KING OLAF HARALDSON THE SAINT.* INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. OLAF HARALDSON the Saint's Saga is the longest, the most important, and the most finished of all the sagas in Heimskringla. The life of Olaf will be found treated more or less freely in Agrip, in Historia Norvegia, in Thjodrek the Monk, in the legendary saga, and in Fagrskinna. Other old Norse literature relating to this epoch : Are's Islendingabok Landnama. Kristni Saga. Biskupa-sögur. Njala. Gunlaugs Saga Ormstungu. Bjarnar Saga Hitdælakappa. Hallfredar Thattr Vandrædaskalds. Eyrbyggia. Viga Styrs Saga. Laxdæla. Fostbrædra. Gretla. Liosvetninga. Færeyinga. Olaf Haraldson was born 995, went as a viking at the age of twelve, 1007; visited England, one summer and three winters, 1009-1012; in France two summers and one winter, 1012-1013; spent the winter in Normandy, 1014; returned to Norway and was recognised as King, April 3, 1015; fled from Norway the winter of 1028-1029; fell at Stiklestad, July 29 (or August 31), 1030. * King Olaf the Saint reigned from about the year 1015 to 1030. The death of King Olaf Trygveson was in the year 1000; and Earl Eirik held the government for the Danish and Swedish kings about fifteen years.-L. 4 Skalds quoted in this saga are:-Ottar Svarte, Sigvat Skald, Thord Kolbeinson, Berse Torfason, Brynjolf, Arnor Jarlaskald, Thord Siarekson, Harek, Thorarin Loftunga, Halvard Hareksblese, Bjarne Gulbraskald, Jokul Bardson, Thormod Kolbrunarskald, Gissur, Thorfin Mun, Hofgardaref. CHAPTER I.-Of Saint Olaf's bringing up. Olaf, Harald Grenske's son, was brought up by his stepfather Sigurd Syr and his mother Asta. Hrane the Far-travelled lived in the house of Asta, and fostered this Olaf Haraldson. Olaf came early to manhood, was handsome in countenance, middlesized in growth, and was even when very young of good understanding and ready speech. Sigurd his stepfather was a careful householder, who kept his people closely to their work, and often went about himself to inspect his corn-rigs and meadow-land, the cattle, and also the smith-work, or whatsoever his people had on hand to do. CHAPTER II.-Of Olaf and King Sigurd Syr. It happened one day that King Sigurd wanted to ride from home, but there was nobody about the house; so he told his step-son horse. Olaf went to the goats' Olaf to saddle his pen, took out the he-goat that was the largest, led him forth, and put the king's saddle on him, and then went in and told King Sigurd he had saddled his riding horse. Now when King Sigurd came out and saw what Olaf had done, he said, "It is easy to see that thou wilt little regard my orders; and thy mother will think it right that I order thee to do nothing that is against thy own inclination. I see well enough that we are of different dispositions, and that thou art far more proud than I am." Olaf answered little, but went his way laughing. CHAPTER III.-Of King Olaf's Accomplishments. When Olaf Haraldson grew up he was not tall, but middle-sized in height, although very thick, and of good strength. He had light brown hair, and a broad face, which was white and red. He had particularly fine eyes, which were beautiful and piercing. so that one was afraid to look him in the face when he was angry. Olaf was very expert in all bodily exercises, understood well to handle his bow, and was distinguished particularly in throwing his spear by hand he was a great swimmer, and very handy, and very exact and knowing in all kinds of smithwork, whether he himself or others made the thing. He was distinct and acute in conversation, and was soon perfect in understanding and strength. Ie was beloved by his friends and acquaintances, eager in his amusements, and one who always liked to be the first, as it was suitable he should be from his birth and dignity. He was called Olaf the Great.* CHAPTER IV.-Beginning of King Olaf's War Expeditions. Olaf Haraldson was twelve years old when he, for the first time, went on board a ship of war [1007]. His * He was called Olaf Digri, the latter word referring not only to the size of the body, but also to qualities of the mind. mother Asta got Hrane, who was called the fosterfather of kings, to command a ship of war and take Olaf under his charge; for Hrane had often been on war expeditions. When Olaf in this way got a ship and men, the crew gave him the title of king; for it was the custom that those commanders of troops who were of kingly descent, on going out upon a viking cruise, received the title of king immediately, although they had no land or kingdom. Hrane sat at the helm; and some say that Olaf himself was but a common rower, although he was king of the men-at-arms. They steered east along the land, and came first to Denmark. So says Ottar Svarte, in his lay which he made about King Olaf : "Young was the king when from his home His ocean-steed to ride To Denmark o'er the tide. Well exercised art thou in truth In manhood's earnest work, brave youth! Out from the distant north Mighty hast thou come forth." Towards autumn he sailed eastward to the Swedish dominions, and there harried and burnt all the country round; for he thought he had good cause of hostility against the Swedes, as they killed his father Harald. Ottar Svarte says distinctly that he came from the east, out by way of Denmark : "Thy ship from shore to shore, Across the Baltic foam is dancing,- Hoist high the swelling sail To catch the freshening gale! |